VILLAGE NEWS MARCH 2017 FOR THE PARISHES OF CHARLTON MUSGROVE, CUCKLINGTON & STOKE TRISTER WITH BAYFORD
D I R E C T O R Y HOSTPITAL CHAPLAIN John Rothwell can be contacted on 07748 808959 E mail John.rothwell@sompar.nhs.uk CHURCH WARDENS & TREASURERS CHARLTON MUSGROVE St Stephen s & St John s Church Wardens: Veronica White 01963 32928 Jonathan Hand 01963 828930 Treasurer: Jeremy Sellick 01963 32174 jeremysellick@hotmail.co.uk CUCKLINGTON St Lawrence s Church Wardens: Karen Dunford 01963 34220 Pip Loxton 01747 840947 Treasurer: Christopher Birrell 01963 33209 crsbirrell@btinternet.com STOKE TRISTER WITH BAYFORD St Andrew s and Bayford Chapel Church Wardens: Nigel Noble 01963 31071 Adam Persson 01963 33954 Treasurer: Nigel Noble 01963 31071 nigel.noble@btinternet.com Benefice Safeguarding Officer Jean Sellick 01963 32174 The Bakery, Charlton Musgrove MAGAZINE EDITOR Pip Loxton Genges, Cucklington, Wincanton, BA9 9PT 01747 840947 PipL@NMR.co.uk Stoke Trister, Cucklington and Charlton Musgrove Benefice PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS Charlton Musgrove Chairman: Robin Bastable 01963 32317 Clerk to the Council: Sheran Ring 01963 32880 charltonmusgroveclerk@gmail.com Stoke Trister with Bayford Chairman: Eldryd Parsons 01963 33628. Eldryd1@hotmail.co.uk Clerk to the Council: Patricia Gillman 01963359598 patriciagillman@tiscali.co.uk Cucklington Chairman: Hugh Davies CucklingtonChairman@gmail.com twitter: @CucklingtonNews www.cucklington.org.uk VILLAGE HALL CONTACTS Charlton Musgrove Village Hall Acting Committee Chairman: Sue Parroy sue@parroy.co.uk Bookings: cmvillagehall@gmail.com Arthur Morison Memorial Hall Committee Chairman: Campbell Dunford 01963 34220 Bookings: J Rawlings 01963 33320 Bayford Village Hall Bookings: Niru Linsley 01963 33972 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH AND LOCAL POLICE NUMBERS Andy Chesterman (Bayford): 01963 33465 Brian Trueman (C): 01747 841014 Pene Volk (CM): 01963 32013 Police Numbers: Police Community Support Officer Timothy Russell 9467 timothy.russell@avonandsomerset.police.gov Phone 101 ii
Letter from the Right Reverend Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton For Parish Newsletters - March 2017 As I write this, in the past week we have been hearing of President Trump s travel ban which includes the prevention of refugees from entering the US. US lawyers have suspended the ban and a fight is ensuing, on Twitter and in the courts. Archbishop Sentamu, and the Bishops of Liverpool and Durham have been among those who have publicly spoken out and reminded us of the Christian charge to welcome the stranger in need. Bishop Peter and I have made a very specific Bishops Lent Appeal this year to support the work of welcome to refugees. To support this appeal, every day of Lent there is a story on the diocesan website of someone working for the common good. Amongst them are some specific stories of refugees and those who work to support them. We hope you will take the opportunity to read them and reflect on how they open up Scripture for us through an example of living the story. And in response, we ask you to consider giving something towards the work we are doing in the diocese and beyond to support such work. Perhaps you are holding a Lent lunch or taking a special, additional offering each week in your church. Would you consider giving this to the Bishops Lent Appeal for Refugees? Half of what is collected across the diocese will go to the work here in Somerset. And half will go to encourage the work of a church community in Greece supporting them in providing food and shelter for those in immediate need. I have been very encouraged to hear of the stories of those who have found practical support and a warm welcome from the people of Somerset in the midst of despair, anxiety and fear. It has been a real joy to see folk gathering together to offer whatever they can by way of befriending, language support, homes to those in need. One primary school has even seen the children collecting money to buy bicycles for two Syrian children. Such generosity! We ve now welcomed four families to Taunton with more on the way. In Yeovil and Bath there are young people and families being supported through the government resettlement scheme. And in Nailsea and Taunton, community sponsorship hopes to welcome others. Our diocese has played its part and provided 5000 this past year for training, interpretive support amongst other things. We are committed to doing more this year and would welcome whatever help you can offer. + Ruth, Taunton 3
COMMON FARM FLOWERS Nationwide delivery of British-grown bouquets by post, Wedding and occasion flowers, workshops. www.commonfarmflowers.com 01963 32883 georgie@commonfarmflowers.com Farmers and Gardeners: Don t let unsightly mole hills spoil your lawn and wreck your mowers: ROY TROTT Has over sixty years Experience at catching the little critters. 01963 32200 or 07919 952585 KIMBERS FARM SHOP Between Wincanton & Bruton Race course Road Quality home produced meats & raw milk. Local produce, deli and gifts. open Tuesday-Saturday www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk 019633317733177 or email info@kimbersfarmshop.co.uk Paul White Interior and Exterior Decorating Services The Mill House, Lower Horwood Farm, BA9 9RA 07814857496 or 01963 31701 Pet Portraits by Chris Reed For further details and examples contact on 07790089929 Cjreed.painting@hotmail.com The Vale Centre Courtyard of the Manor House, Stoke Trister, Wincanton, Somerset Holiday Cottages to let Telephone 01963 33360 info@valecentre.co.uk or visit www.valecentre.co.uk Geoff Syme Cost Management Specialist Saving businesses time and money by managing their overheads www.auditel.co.uk/geoffsyme Office: 01963 31541 Mobile 07949 239 864 For all your Garden and Home Improvements - Over 20 years local experience - Extensions, patios, landscaping, stonework, brickwork, fencing & plastering All aspects of Garden and Home Improvements For a free, no obligation, quotation please call: 07977 070703 or 01963 363535 Carl.mintern@gmail.com First Impression Hair & Harmony Professional, Fully Qualified Mobile Hairdresser & Nail Technician Bridal and prom packages/oap Mondays St Johns Cottages, Charlton Musgrove, BA9 8HW Contact Jessica Keill Tel: 07825176752 Website: www.firstimpressionhairandharmony.com Email: jkeill0308@googlemail.com Facebook: First Impression Hair and Harmony The Unicorn Inn, Bayford Real Ale and Ciders, good pub food, special offers Tel: 01963 34941 The Cat's Whiskers Cake Company Ltd The Vale Centre, Stoke Trister BA9 9PH phone 01963 33717 Email: Catswhiskerscakes@gmail.com Website www.catswhiskerscakes.com Bespoke celebration cakes, workshops and event planning. Saturday mornings between 10am and 1pm or by appointment 4
From the Organ Bench From a forward-looking modern hymn last month (which I hope we may sing as an anthem to welcome our new Rector), to one of our best-loved hymns, which is also a favourite of Jeffrey Hall, who has taken services for us during the interregnum and endeared himself to so many of us. Dear Lord and Father of mankind is one of quite a few favourite hymns that wasn t originally written as a hymn. It s actually the final five verses of a poem called The Brewing of Soma by John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892), an American Quaker poet who in his younger days worked tirelessly for the abolition of slavery. I don t think that Soma has anything to do with the Greek word for body ; it was an intoxicating drink which was part of Vedic ritual (an ancient precursor of Hinduism). In his poem Whittier describes this ritual and then introduces the idea that there is an equivalent ethereal intensity, not totally dissimilar to intoxication, in some kinds of Christian worship. We may not all go as far as that, but there is something calming and ethereal about these words, as in: O Sabbath rest by Galilee, O calm of hills above, Where Jesus knelt to share with thee The silence of eternity, Interpreted by love. The last verse is one of church music s traps for heffalumps, where congregations (and sometimes organists) rise to a great fortissimo in: Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire; Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire. and continue to bellow at the top of their voices: O still small voice of calm. As with William Blake s Jerusalem, these words have come to be loved largely through being set to a tune by Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918). Like the words, the tune wasn t originally written for a hymn, but was an aria in Parry s long-forgotten opera Judith. George Stocks, the director of music at Repton School in Derbyshire, set words and tune together for the school hymn-book in 1924, and the tune is still known as Repton. It was an inspired pairing by Dr. Stocks, who deserves credit alongside John Whittier and Hubert Parry for a hymn whose beauty has the power to move churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike. David Duvall 5
CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 2017 24 th Quiz Night Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 25 th Jumble Sale Bayford Village Hall 25 th Coffee Morning Arthur Morison Memorial Hall March 2017 2 nd Coffee Morning Bayford Village Hall 3 rd An Evening with Sam Griffiths Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 4 th Hall Cleaning Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 8 th Benefice Fair planning Meeting Charlton Musgrove Village Hall 17 th Coffee Morning Charlton Musgrove Village Hall 18 th Stoke Trister Social Group Stoke Trister Church 18 th Coffee Morning Paradise Cottage, Charlton Musgrove 25 th Coffee Morning Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 28 th Lunch Club Bayford Village Hall 31 st Scrabble Arthur Morison Memorial Hall April 2017 1 st Spectra Musica Wincanton 1 st Young Farmers Dinner Dance Wincanton 6 th Coffee Morning Bayford Village Hall 22 nd Stoke Trister Social Group Stoke Trister Church 28 th Scrabble Arthur Morison Memorial Hall May 2017 5 th Quiz Night Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 6 th Plant Sale Common Farm, Charlton Musgrove 19 th Scrabble Arthur Morison Memorial Hall July 2017 1 st Benefice Fair Charlton Musgrove Village Hall 6
CHURCH SERVICES CMSJ St. John s, Charlton Musgrove. CMSS St. Stephen s Charlton Musgrove C St. Lawrence, Cucklington. ST St. Andrew s Stoke Trister All services below are Benefice Services. Everyone is warmly welcome to join in whichever service they would like. February 2017 26 th 9.30 am Family Communion CMSJ March 2017 5 th 9.30 am Family Communion ST 6.00 pm Evensong C 12 th 9.30 am Family Communion CMSS 19 th 9.30 am Family Communion ST 6.00 pm Evensong C 26 th 9.30 am Family Communion/Mothering Sunday CMSS April 2017 2 nd 9.30 am Family Communion ST 6.00 pm Evensong C 6 th 7.00 pm Quiet Reflection/Prayer/Music/Meditation CMSJ 9 th 10.00 am Palm Sunday Walk C 11.00 am St Andrew 12.00 am St Stephen 13 th 7.00 pm Quiet Reflection/Prayer/Music/Meditation CMSJ 16 th 9.30 am Easter Sunday Family Communion ST 11.00 am Family Communion C VACANCY PERIOD PARISH OF STOKE TRISTER WITH BAYFORD If you are in need of a member of the clergy during the vacancy period for yourself, a friend, wedding, funeral or baptism, please get in touch with your Church Wardens www.livingfaithlocally.co.uk 7
spectra musica in Wincanton Spectra Musica are eagerly anticipating their return to the beautiful St Luke and St Teresa s Church, Wincanton on 1st April, All Fools Day, with a concert entitled These foolish things. However, Musical Director Peter Leech has compiled a programme which is far from foolish but as usual covers a huge range of musical genres. The group will acknowledge Monteverdi s 450 Anniversary, and also include works by Schumann, Liszt and Saint-Saëns. On a lighter note will be works by Cole Porter and Bob Chilcott and a piece recognising the great achievement of Pythagoras, set in a style reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan April Fool? Concert pianist Anita D Attellis will also feature in the programme as well as accompanying the group. Tickets, priced 12, are available from 01963 350160, from tickets@spectramusica.co.uk or on the door, for the concert starting at 7.30pm. On the 18th March the Stoke Trister Social Group are making Crochet Mandalas. The pattern is suitable for all levels including beginners, full instructions and help given. Please bring Double Knit yarn of your choice in three or four of your favourite colours, reasonable length left overs are fine. You will need a crochet hook either 2.5/3 mm. Cotton yarn works especially well. Refreshments available like us on Facebook to see what we have made, and to see a Mandala. We meet at 10 am at Stoke Trister Church. Any questions please phone 01963 32311 Please note the April workshop is on the 22nd April at 10 am at Stoke Trister Church (the fourth Saturday) because Easter falls on the third weekend. A date for your Diary! FRIDAY 3 RD MARCH 2017 In the Arthur Morison Memorial Hall 7.00pm for 7.30 start AN EVENING WITH SAM GRIFFITHS Winner of the Badminton Horse Trials 2014 Team Bronze and 4 th Individual Medal at the RIO Olympics Tickets 12 in advance or 14 at the door to include refreshments Cash Bar Tel: 01963 34220 / 07740 466633 or e-mail: karen@willowbarns.com The Summer Fair is to be on Saturday 1st July this year. And it will be Charlton Musgrove's turn to host it in the Memorial Hall. So put the date in your diaries and we'll make it a really good party. All help and ideas will be gratefully accepted. The first planning meeting is to be in the Hall on Wednesday 8th March at 7.30, so come along and we'll start the ball rolling. 8
VILLAGE VIEW CHARLTON MUSGROVE www.charltonmusgrove.org Website Editor: Judy Nathan jhnathan321@gmail.com The Church St Stephen s And St John s Church Wardens: Veronica White 01963 32928 Jonathan Hand 01963 82893 During Lent, there will be an opportunity for quiet reflection with prayers, music and meditation on the 6 th and 13 th April at St John s Church, beginning at 7pm Summer Fair Planning Meeting In the Memorial Hall at Charlton Musgrove at 7.30 on Wednesday 8th March. Everyone welcome to come and help the planning of a great day out on SATURDAY 1st JULY. Please ring Veronica (32928) if you can't come but have some good ideas. PLANT SALE AT COMMON FARM FLOWERS On Saturday 6th May Georgie and Mike Woods are holding an exciting plant sale in aid of St Stephens's roof at Common Farm, Barrow Lane, in Charlton Musgrove. Village Coffee Mornings in the Memorial Hall Friday 17th March. 10.30 to 12.00. Do come along & join us for Real Coffee & homemade cake. A Coffee Morning to raise Funds for the Brain Tumour Charity. The England Family invite you to join them at a Coffee Morning on Saturday 18th March 10.30-1200 at Paradise Cottage, Charlton Musgrove to raise much needed funds for this very worthwhile Charity. The Charity work, not only to provide help & support for sufferers & their families, but also to fund much needed research into early diagnosis & treatment of this dreadful disease. So Come along & join us for Coffee, Tea, homemade cake & a chat with friends & neighbours. We look forward to seeing you there. Charlton Musgrove 100 Club Results February Draw No 6 Biddy Moreton 15 No 20 Mary Creed 15 9
VILLAGE SAFETY NET Remember to phone 01963 31634 for help in Charlton Musgrove if you need to call on the safety net which is in place. Diane Coe Short Mat Bowls at Charlton Musgrove Village Hall WE MEET ON THE 2 nd AND 4 th TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH Come along for a laugh, we are a friendly non-competitive group Cost - 2.50 per session - Tea & Coffee will be served Please bring along smooth soled shoes to wear for the sake of the mats. Brian & Stella Wheeler 01963 34331 Charlton Musgrove Defibrillator 1st Responder Contact Numbers Chris Mielville 0196333233 Custodians Barrie & Ceri Izard 0196334144 John Ball 0196331046 David Amblin 01963 31012 Robert Parker 07769913475 Neal Sizmore 07795817460 In case of medical emergency ring 999 and ask for the Ambulance Service. The operator will then send a medic and inform there is a Defibrillator in Charlton Musgrove and will give the key pad entry number for access. There is a list of first responders on the door ring one of them immediately for assistance prior to Ambulance arrival. Defibrillators can save lives Wincanton Young Farmers Club 80th Anniversary Dinner & Dance Wincanton memorial Hall Saturday 1st April 7.30 1.00am 40.00 per ticket Please call 07974 128 931 for tickets. All past and present friends very welcome 10
CUCKLINGTON The Church St Lawrence s CUCKLINGTON Church Wardens Karen Dunford Pip Loxton 01963 34220 Contact Telephone numbers 01747 840947 The Arthur Morison Memorial Hall, Cucklington Management Committee Committee members include: Telephone Number Campbell Dunford (Chairman) 01963 34220 Jenny Rawlings (Booking Secretary) 01963 33320 Hall bookings should be made through Jenny Rawlings who also holds the keys. Quiz Night in the Village Hall on Friday 24th February at 7.30 pm. Tickets 12 per table of 8 from Karen Dunford karen@willowbarns.com Talk by Sam Griffiths, international 3 day event rider and Olympian Friday 3rd March in the Village Hall, at 7.30 pm. Please let Karen Dunford know if you would like to attend this exciting event karen@willowbarns.com Tickets to include light refreshments, 12 in advance, 14 at the door. Village Hall cleaning: The next cleaning session will be on Saturday 4th March starting at 9.30. This hall belongs to us all come along and spend a couple of hours helping us to keep it clean and tidy. Flower Rota Meeting - Monday 3rd April at 11 am at Orchard House for coffee and to discuss the Flower Rota for the coming year. If you are unable to attend please let me know your preferred dates in advance. Anyone who would like to help this year is always welcome. We will be decorating St Lawrence for Easter on Saturday 15th April at 10 am, any white and yellow flowers, greenery and help is much appreciated. Jan Sullivan (Tel. 01747 840014) Village Hall Coffee Mornings The next coffee morning will be on Saturday 25th February, which will include a Bring & Buy of produce, and then 25th March, starting at 10 am. Come along for excellent coffee, delicious cakes and lots of chat. Cucklington 100 club December - Mr W Rawlings, Miss P Loxton, Mr H Davies, Mrs J Rawlings January - Mr C Stanford, Mr P Wilcox February - Mrs H Woods, Mr J Gilbey TABLE TENNIS EVERY TUESDAY AT THE ARTHUR MORISON HALL AT 7.30pm all welcome 11
Village Contacts: Chair of Village Meeting: Hugh Davies: cucklingtonchairman@gmail.com NHW co-ordinator - Brian Trueman 01747 841014. Non urgent calls to police 101, or else call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org To check on the status of Planning Applications online go to: http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/planningsearch To report Fly Tipping online go to: http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/online (Dorset: http://www.dorsetforyou.com/flytipping/report-flytipping-online). Telephone numbers for reporting to the council (office hours) are: General, inc. fly tipping: 01935 462462. The contact number for Somerset Highways is now: 0300 123 2224 (Monday-Friday a.m. to p.m) Saturday am to p.m. and Sunday closed (Call 101 if urgent). Planning: 01935 462016. HATHA YOGA FOR everybody Tuesdays 11am Wincanton Memorial Hall All abilities welcome For more information contact Georgie 07747 636026 Pilates Thursday evenings 6.45-7.45pm, Mixed Abilities Class Focus the mind and strengthen the body Improve posture and muscle balance, Increase Flexibility North Cheriton Village Hall Thursdays 4.30-5.30 55+ tracey@pilates-fresh.co.uk Mob 07866552421 www.pilates-fresh.co.uk FITSMART Based in North Dorset & Somerset offering affordable Home, Online & One2One Personal Training, Mikey's philosophy is to make fitness fun, to encourage people to exercise that produces real results, and positively impacts people's health. Personal Training really is 'Personal'. One size does not fit all. We create fun solutions that produce the results you want. Contact Mikey today for more information Mikey Clark m: 07738784006 e: fitsmartpt@gmail.com 12
STOKE TRISTER WITH BAYFORD www.stoketristerbayford.net contact: web@stoketristerbayford.net The Church St Andrew s Church Wardens: Adam Persson 01963 33954 Nigel Noble 01963 31071 Bayford Coffee Mornings The next Bayford Coffee morning will be on Thursday 2nd March in the newly refurbished Bayford Village Hall from 10 am to 12 noon. All are very welcome to come and there will be the usual Bring and Buy Table. Coffee mornings are always on the first Thursday in the month (unless elections prevent this happening, when plenty of notice will be given). Stoke Trister Neighbourhood Watch. Following my request for contact details of those who would like to be in the Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the village just two have responded. You should be aware that if you do not let me have your details I will be unable to warn you off the appearance of miscreants etc. My email is petermunro20@live.co.uk and my phone number is 01963 33036. Quiz Night in the Arthur Morrison Hall. There will be a quiz night on Saturday 5 th May in aid of the Wincanton Live at Home Scheme. Doors open at 1900 and the quiz will start at 1930. Tables of up to 8 10 a head including supper, The bar will be open, To book a slot please call 01963 33036. Winibus. The appeal for volunteer drivers for the Winibus in the December issue fell on stony ground. I hope that someone will feel that they can give a few hours every so often to help out. This is not an arduous task by any means. Please contact either Andy Chilton on 01963 34594 or Peter Munro on 01963 33036. We send our very best wishes to Niru Linsley who has been in hospital. Get well soon Niru 13
COPY DATE FOR APRIL ISSUE Thursday 16th March 2017 PLEASE SEND YOUR COPY TO: Biddy Morton (for CHARLTON MUSGROVE) brigid.moreton@virgin.net 01963 33256 Brian Trueman (for CUCKLINGTON) briantrueman100@gmail.com 01747 841014 Or direct to the Editor Pip Loxton Genges, Cucklington, Wincanton, BA9 9PT 01747 840947 pipl@nmr.co.uk o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o South Somerset residents help shape the future of the census South Somerset has been specially selected as part of a large scale test of the census, run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is an exciting opportunity for local residents to help shape the census which will happen in 2021. Test day is 9 April 2017. Randomly-selected households will be sent a letter beforehand with a unique access code to enable them to answer their test questionnaire online quickly and easily it should take about 10 minutes. There will be census officers working in the area in April and May, and online and telephone help will also be available. Your participation is hugely valued by ONS. It will help develop an online census for 2021 that asks the right questions and gets the maximum response. The more successful the census test is in South Somerset, the more we benefit in future. For more information on the 2017 Test: www.ons.gov.uk/census
Further on Archbishops and upon the Right Reverend Joanna Penberthy, consecrated, inducted, installed and enthroned. The past few weeks have been historic times in the Church in Wales. On 21st January, the day that our former Rector was consecrated Bishop, Llandaff Cathedral, with its clear glass windows was filled with light. The service of Consecration was a moving and solemn occasion and for those of us who had looked forward to this day, it was an utterly joyful one. Before the General Confession, Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan asked forgiveness for the Church in Wales of its treatment towards women in the Church. He also praised hem for their patience. Later, in the sermon, he reiterated that Bishop Joanna had been elected Bishop because she was the best person for the job. At the celebration of Communion, Bishop Joanna communicated all those who came up to the altar and the other Bishops administered the wine. During the service Jo's crosier, cope and white mitre had been blessed. In the Church in Wales the Bishops wear white mitres when not in their own Diocese. The Archbishop wears a gold one. A week later, Archbishop Barry was to retire as the longest serving Archbishop. After the service he and the newly consecrated Bishop greeted the congregation as the streamed out into glorious sunshine and there was much rejoicing. Pictures of the occasion can be found on the website of the Church in Wales, which includes two of Bishop Joanna with three other women Bishops of Gloucester and from New Zealand and Wales. The weather had changed to a slaty Welsh grey, when on February 11th Bishop Joanna was enthroned in the highly significant and ancient Cathedral of St. Mary and St. David. The rain held off as the new Bishop knocked on the west door of the Cathedral and asked to be admitted. Again with many dignitaries and this time the Readers, Clergy, people of her new diocese present with her sister Dylleth and her new Chaplain Paul assisting her, the service was both impressive and moving. Both services were spoken and sung partly in Welsh and partly in English, with beautiful singing in both languages. During part of the service, Joanna disappeared from view into the chancel and choir, with Adrian and the family to witness as she was dressed in the sumptuous cope and mitre and holding a beautifully wrought crosier belonging to St. David's Cathedral. Her sermon can be heard and seen on the Church in Wales website and for anyone who cannot access it, I can provide a précis later. 'Growing Hope' is the diocesan motto and I would say that the nub of the sermon, which was full of the reality of our human frailty and of God's forgiving of us, is that with endurance and hope, we can hold out a gentle had to others, not perfect but living out our faith in the steadfast love of God. Through our lives we can bring the Good News of the Gospel to others. When I had an opportunity to speak to the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams before Christmas and say to him how lovely it was to have the good news of Jo's appointment to rejoice in; he agreed and reflected that there is not much good news these days! How good it is for all of us, that there is the Good News of God's love brought to us through the life and death of his Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Elizabeth Learmond